29 Jul 2017, 03:00
The Blue Angels plane "Fat Albert" , which is grounded ,is a former EC-130T (Tacamo ). T-models came after my PDM/SDLM period , so I'm not sure about configuration issues. I observe from the wreckage photo that the Plane Impacted in the vertical position ,the Ramp & Door are visible . The Vertical Fin (possibly only part ) was on the plane at the time of impact ( one of the ribs is visible aft of the horizontal stabiliser ). Eye witness reports indicated that the plane appeared to be in a spin. My first supposition is a large rudder excursion , followed by a departure from controlled flight. These are questions that I have for the readers .What kind of rudder boost pack for a"T"is it normal Hydraulic or Electrical ( Electrical were being considered ). In fact a vendor offered to equip my state of the art demonstrator ,LAC 3035 , with same but I declined in light of the Lockheed HTTB fatal crash with an experimental Electric Boost Pak installed. Lets keep this conversation alive we may uncover something.